Virginia Giuffre, the outspoken campaigner against sex trafficking and central figure in the allegations against Prince Andrew, has died aged 41. Her death comes just weeks after she shared a heart-wrenching social media post reading, “I’m ready to go.”
Ms Giuffre’s family described her as a “fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse”, noting that the “toll of abuse… became unbearable”, according to a statement reported by the BBC.
“She was the light that lifted so many survivors. Despite all the adversity she faced in her life, she shone so bright. She will be missed beyond measure,” the family added. Ms Giuffre leaves behind three children, referred to as the “light of her life.”
A Leading Voice Against Epstein and Maxwell
Virginia Giuffre became one of the most prominent figures to accuse convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. She alleged they trafficked her to Prince Andrew when she was just 17 years old — a claim the Duke of York has consistently denied.
She was found deceased at her property in Neergabby, a suburb north of Perth, Western Australia. Police confirmed they responded to an emergency call on Friday night.
“Police and St John Western Australia attended and provided emergency first aid. Sadly, the 41-year-old woman was declared deceased at the scene,” a police spokeswoman confirmed. “The death is being investigated by Major Crime detectives; early indication is the death is not suspicious.”
Ms Giuffre’s long-time publicist, Dini von Mueffling, called her client “one of the most extraordinary human beings I have ever had the honour to know.” She continued, “Deeply loving, wise, and funny, she was a beacon to other survivors and victims. It was the privilege of a lifetime to represent her.”
Lawyer Sigrid McCawley, who represented Giuffre, added: “Her courage pushed me to fight harder, and her strength was awe-inspiring. The world has lost an amazing human being today. Rest in peace, my sweet angel.”
Recent Struggles Before Her Death
Last month, it was reported that Ms Giuffre had been hospitalised following a serious accident. While details remained sparse, an Instagram post suggested she had been involved in a collision with a school bus. In the emotional post, she revealed she was suffering from kidney failure.
“I’ve gone into kidney renal failure, they’ve given me four days to live, transferring me to a specialist hospital in urology,” she wrote. “I’m ready to go, just not until I see my babies one last time.”
However, her publicist later clarified the post was mistakenly made public and was intended for her private Facebook page.
In addition, Ms Giuffre had faced legal troubles earlier this year. She was charged with breaching a family violence restraining order in Ocean Reef, near Perth. Her case had been scheduled for a plea hearing on 11 June at Joondalup Magistrates’ Court.
Born in the United States, Giuffre spent many years living in Australia, becoming a powerful advocate for survivors of sex trafficking. Her journey into the public eye began when she accused Jeffrey Epstein of exploitation after a plea deal in 2009 allowed him a controversial early release.
She recounted being approached by Ghislaine Maxwell at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in 2000. Giuffre, then a teenager, said she was recruited under the guise of working as a masseuse, only to find herself trafficked to wealthy and powerful men, including Prince Andrew.
The Duke of York settled a civil sexual assault lawsuit with Ms Giuffre for millions, though he has maintained he never met her.
In a now infamous BBC Newsnight interview, Prince Andrew disputed the authenticity of a photograph showing him with his arm around her waist, claiming he had “no recollection” of meeting her at London’s Tramp nightclub.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey Epstein died by hanging in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following her 2022 conviction for sex trafficking.
Virginia Giuffre’s death marks the loss of a fearless advocate who spent her life fighting for survivors of sexual abuse. Her unwavering courage in the face of tremendous adversity inspired many across the globe. Though her life was tragically cut short, her legacy of strength and advocacy will undoubtedly endure.
